Sometimes we have to let people go for their own good. We cannot carry people,through prayer, forever. At a certain point in our walk with God we have to quit eating baby food and start eating solid food. At a certain point we have to grow enough to step out and use what we have learned to help grow others in Christ. We cannot help others until we get free from things that hold us back. Why? Because people see that as hypocrisy. They then turn away from God and some never come back! I did that for years before I was completely set free from things ruining my testimony. 

If there is no growth it’s because we are sitting around singing the blues, full of self pity,  instead of trusting God to show us how to live joyful in good times and bad. It takes work that no other human being can do for us. 

Remember when Jesus said to the man at the pool of Bethesda, “Get up, take up your mat and walk.” The man had complained to Jesus that he had no one to help him to the pool for healing. Jesus healed him, but then put the responsibility right back on him.

It’s wonderful when Christians pray for us! It builds our faith when God answers their prayers for us.

It takes us making a decision to follow God,no matter how we are feeling, to stay healed. 

God healed me of depression several years ago. But that doesn’t mean depression doesn’t try to come back on me, because it does. I have been taught by God that I cannot give in to depression. You know some of my life, but I am pretty sure you don’t know all. Believe me when I tell you that I have a lot of reasons to stay depressed. The only way to be joyful, is for me to choose joy. If I start to think about my life and feel sorry for myself I can go down into depression really quickly. 

God has taught me that when I feel the first little bit of self pity I simply STOP and put my mind on God. I praise Him for anything I can think of. I read the Word, I read the encouragement others put online, I put on worship music and raise my hands and worship. 

It’s not always easy. But it works. You may not be battling depression you may be battling drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography. Whatever it is, you can get it off your mind and out of your life the same way!

We cannot spend the next five or ten years taking one step forward and two steps back and then expecting our friends to do the work that  we  need to do to stay free!

Someone, right now Jesus is saying “It’s time to get free and never go backwards! As you make an effort to take responsibility and stay free, I will meet you right where you are and keep you free!” 

God loves you! He really does! You have work to do in the Kingdom! Take up your mat and WALK!

In His Unconditional Love,

Cathie Miller